Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

  • The Department of Health recently issued correspondence setting out the plans for the seasonal influenza vaccination programme for the coming months.
  • Community pharmacy has a central and important role in this winter’s Flu Vaccination programme and will support the programme by being able to vaccinate individuals over the age of 50 and Health and Social Care Workers (HSCW). This is the result of the tremendous response by the network in both the 2020/21 Flu vaccination service and the current COVID vaccination programme.
  • I would encourage you and your staff to continue playing a vital role in these major Public Health campaigns in Northern Ireland over the coming weeks and months.

ACTIONS

  • Contractors are asked to review the documentation associated with the Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service, particularly the CPFV Service Specification and the CPFV Service Contract, when received from HSCB week commencing 20 September 2021.
  • Once received, please complete and return the Contract documentation for each pharmacy premises that will be providing the CP Flu Vaccination Service in 2021/22 to HSCB as soon as is practicable.
  • Only contact Movianto to obtain stock of the Flu vaccine after you have returned the CP Flu Vaccination service contract(s) to HSCB and are authorised to place an order.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Please find correspondence HERE for the attention of all Community Pharmacies Contractors from Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, Health and Social Care Board.

SUMMARY

  • HSCB is making available funding of up to £2,000 per community pharmacy for community pharmacies to claim to help with additional pharmacy staff costs incurred in the period July 2021 to September 2021 inclusive.
  • This Grant Funding is being made available by HSCB in recognition of the significant work force pressures and resultant increased staff costs that have been experienced in the sector during this period. 

ACTION

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague
The following concessionary prices have been granted for September 2021:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Baclofen 10mg tablets84£2.34
Olmesartan medoxomil 40mg tablets28£9.45
Orlistat 120mg capsules84£21.45
Pregabalin 50mg capsules84£4.05
Sulfasalazine 500mg gastro-resistant tablets112£17.15
Trazodone 50mg capsules84£3.59
Trimethoprim 50mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free100£11.15

This is the first update of concessionary prices for September 2021.

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Concessionary prices may be granted up until the end of the month so CPNI will notify you of any further concessionary prices as and when they are agreed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter. Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist

Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE for the attention of all Community Pharmacies offering Living Well service, from HSCB Pharmacy & Medicines Management.

SUMMARY

  • The first campaign of 2021/2022, Know Your Units, finished on 31 July 2021.
  • Pharmacies offering Living Well are required to complete an online evaluation survey for this campaign.
  • It is vital that all pharmacies contracted to provide “Living Well” submit their evaluation survey as it allows HSCB to collate data to demonstrate the value and impact of the service to other sectors. Additionally, it supports future commissioning and service development. 
  • The HSCB monitors compliance with the service requirements, in particular evaluation submission. Should your pharmacy fail to submit an evaluation survey response, the HSCB reserves the right to recover all, or part of, this funding via an adjustment to the pharmacy’s BSO payment account.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • Pharmacies offering Living Well service are required to complete an evaluation survey, for the ‘Know Your Units‘ campaign available HERE by 20 September 2021.
  • If you have already completed this, you do not need to do anything further. 

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist

Dear Colleague

Please find correspondence HERE for the attention of all Community Pharmacies offering Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme, from Prof Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, Prof Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer and Mrs Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.

SUMMARY

  • Community pharmacy service providers should proactively offer influenza vaccination to any patient they identify as being eligible to receive it on the basis of age i.e. those aged 50 years and over, should they present in the pharmacy for any reason. 
  • Community pharmacy service providers should offer the vaccine to eligible health and social care workers.
  • Community pharmacy service providers should also encourage uptake by at risk groups by signposting to patients’ GPs. 
  • Please note the recommended vaccines relating to the community pharmacy programme are:
    • for those aged 65 years and over an adjuvanted Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (aQIV) as the aQIV is more effective and cost-effective in the elderly than non-adjuvanted vaccines and reflects current JCVI advice and Green Book guidance. 
    • For under-65s a Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (cell-based) (QIVc). 
  • Further guidance on the roll-out of the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme in Northern Ireland, which may encourage co-administration with flu vaccination, where possible, will be provided by the Department in due course.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • Contractors are advised to use the social media cards for Health and Social Care Workers and over 50s to help promote the service online.
  • CPNI colleagues will continue to keep you updated on these matters.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive